Thursday, October 19, 2017

Your State Driver's licenses may not be accepted for Domestic US Air Travel in January. The Department of Homeland Security is slowly raising the security requirements of our regular drivers licenses in the United States as part of their Real ID program. Some states have recently received an extension, but others have not and their grace period expires January 22, 2018. If you have a driver's license from those states, you will need a passport or other enhanced ID to fly even on a US Domestic only flight.
See where your state stands and get more information on the Homeland Security website at https://www.dhs.gov/real-id.

Friday, July 21, 2017

The Laptop ban on flights to the US has officially ended. There was speculation of expanding the ban. Instead, airlines and airports have adopted more stringent screening protocols and are using more sophisticated scanning equipment. Homeland
Security says there are now no airlines under restrictions for
large personal electronic devices. The Transportation Security Agency
(TSA) has lifted the restrictions on large personal electronic devices
for the ten airports/nine airlines in the Middle East and North Africa,
which were announced in March. These airports and airlines have also
successfully implemented the first phase of enhanced security measures.

Friday, March 31, 2017

US Homeland Security has updated their fact sheet on the Large Electronics Ban. They have expanded the information with some Q&As. You can read it below or follow this link.

One of the consequences of this is that if you are connecting through one of the affected airports, you will need to place any large personal electronic devices in their checked
bags upon check-in at their originating airport.

Emirates has made a special work around for their passengers connecting through Dubai. They will collect your larger electronic devices at the Dubai boarding gate and return them to you on arrival in the US. More about that on the Emirates website.

Q&A: Aviation Security Enhancements for Select Last Point of Departure Airports with Commercial Flights to the United States

Q1: Why is the U.S. Government taking these steps now? Are these new
policies in response to a specific terrorist threat or plot?

A1: The U.S. Government is concerned about terrorists' ongoing
interest in targeting commercial aviation, including transportation hubs
over the past two years, as evidenced by the 2015 airliner downing in
Egypt, the 2016 attempted airliner downing in Somalia, and the 2016
armed attacks against airports in Brussels and Istanbul. Evaluated
intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target
commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in various
consumer items.
Based on this trend, the Transportation Security Administration
(TSA), in consultation with relevant Departments and Agencies, has
determined it is prudent to enhance security, to include airport
security procedures for passengers at certain last point of departure
airports to the United States. These enhancements include more stringent
measures applied to 10 specific airports.
The enhancement in security will require that all personal electronic
devices (PEDs) larger than a cell phone or smart phone be placed in
checked baggage. These items will no longer be allowed to be carried
onto aircraft at 10 select airports where flights are departing for the
United States. Approved medical devices may be brought into the cabin
after additional screening.
This security enhancement will be implemented through a Security
Directive (SD)/Emergency Amendment (EA) process, which includes industry
notification, to affected air carriers that will implement the
requirements.

Q2: Why is DHS/TSA doing this now?

A2: The Department of Homeland Security, in close cooperation with
our intelligence community partners, continuously assesses and evaluates
the threat environment. While a number of existing security measures
remain in place, others will be modified, as deemed necessary to protect
travelers. DHS will continue to adjust its security measures to ensure
the highest levels of aviation security without unnecessary disruption
to travelers.

Q3: Is there a specific or credible threat to aviation?

A3: We have reason to be concerned about attempts by terrorist groups
to circumvent aviation security and terrorist groups continue to target
aviation interests. Implementing additional security measures enhances
our ability to mitigate further attempts against the overseas aviation
industry.

Q4: Did new intelligence drive a decision to modify security procedures?

A4: Yes, intelligence is one aspect of every security-related
decision. The record of terrorist attempts to destroy aircraft in flight
is longstanding and well-known. We continually re-assess old
intelligence and collect new intelligence.

Q5: How did you select these airports and which ones are affected?

A5: DHS, in close cooperation with our intelligence community
partners, selected these airports based on the current threat picture.
The affected overseas airports are: Queen Alia International Airport
(AMM), Cairo International Airport (CAI), Ataturk International Airport
(IST), King Abdul-Aziz International Airport (JED), King Khalid
International Airport (RUH), Kuwait International Airport (KWI),
Mohammed V Airport (CMN), Hamad International Airport (DOH), Dubai
International Airport (DXB), and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).

All the World Travel editor's note: For those of you who don't know the 3-letter airport codes or airport names, here are the departure cities listed above:

Q6: Could more airports be added in the future, and might some of those be in the U.S.?

A6: As threats change, so too will TSA’s security requirements.

Q7: How long will these new procedures remain in place?

A7: The new procedures remain in place until the threat changes.
These are risk-based decisions and TSA continuously assesses security
risks and seeks to balance necessary security requirements with their
operational impact on the industry.

Q8: Why won’t these procedures continue indefinitely, like the prohibition on bringing liquids through security screening?

A8: See above.

Q9: How are you defining, “larger than a smart phone?”

A9: The size and shape of smart phones varies by brand. Smartphones
are commonly available around the world and their size is well
understood by most passengers who fly internationally. Please check with
your airline if you are not sure whether your smartphone is impacted.

Q10: Why does this only apply to large electronic devices? Why doesn’t this apply to mobile phones?

A10: TSA seeks to balance risk with impacts to the traveling public
and has determined that cell phones and smart phones will be allowed in
accessible property at this time.

Q11: Is air travel safe?

A11: Yes. Today, all air travelers are subject to a robust security
system that employs multiple layers of security, both seen and unseen,
including:

Intelligence gathering and analysis

Cross-checking passenger manifests against watchlists

Thorough screening at checkpoints

Random canine team screening at airports

Reinforced cockpit doors

Federal air marshals

Armed pilots

A vigilant public

In combination, these layers provide enhanced security creating a
much stronger and protected transportation system for the traveling
public. TSA continually assesses and evaluates the current threat
environment and adjusts security measures as necessary to ensure the
highest levels of aviation security without unnecessary disruption to
travelers.

Q12: How will TSA ensure foreign airports and air carriers are complying with the new procedures?

A12: TSA conducts assessments of foreign airports and inspections of
airlines to ensure all U.S. regulations and International security
standards are being met at last point of departures to the United
States. TSA directly assesses the security posture of last points of
departure airports under the Foreign Airport Assessment Program (FAAP)
and evaluates the implementation of the internationally recognized
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. TSA also
utilizes its regulatory authorities over the air carriers which serve
the United States to implement enhanced security measures at foreign
locations. As an element of each air carrier’s legally binding approval
to operate to and from the United States, the airline agrees to meet all
security requirements stipulated by TSA.

Q13: How does this affect the American public, either those
traveling to/from these selected airports and those flying within the
U.S.?

A13: All passengers flying through and from these locations will have
to place electronic devices that are larger than a cell phone/smart
phone in their checked bags regardless of the passenger’s citizenship.

Q14: Will the security procedures continue to apply to both international and domestic passengers?

A14: This applies to all passengers traveling from 10 specific airports overseas.

Q15: Why are you only implementing these measures overseas, could the same tactics be used domestically?

A15: Electronic devices will still be allowed on all flights
originating in the United States. Security procedures, both seen and
unseen, are in place to mitigate the risk to flights in the United
States.

Q16: Does TSA have to hire additional officers, or transfer some to
the affected airports, to ensure the new screening procedures are
followed?

A16: No additional TSA personnel are needed because TSA does not conduct screening at airports outside the United Sates.

Q17: Are the security measures introduced on July 2, 2014 still in place?

A17: A number of those implemented security measures remain in place
while others may be modified as deemed necessary to protect travelers.
Since July 2, 2014, a number of foreign governments have themselves
enhanced aviation security, buttressing and replacing our own measures
at these airports when it became routine at overseas airports for
security officials to ask some passengers to turn on their electronic
devices, including cell phones, before boarding flights to the United
States.

Q18: How many flights does this affect?

A18: This will only impact flights from 10 of the more than 250
airports that serve as last points of departure to the United States.
This will only impact a small percentage of flights to the United
States. The exact number of flights will vary on a day to day basis.

Q19: How many passengers will be affected?

A19: These measures will apply to all passengers on flights from the
10 last points of departure airports, a small fraction of passengers
traveling to the United States by air each day.

Q20: Will this affect passengers enrolled in trusted traveler programs?

A20: These measures will apply to all passengers on flights from certain locations regardless of trusted traveler status.

Q21: What do you recommend passengers do if they are flying out of one of the last point of departure airports?

A21: Passengers should pack large personal electronic devices in
checked bags and contact their air carrier with additional questions.

Q22: How will this affect the screening process at the airport?

A22: Generally, passengers will be instructed to place large
electronic devices in their checked bags when traveling from one of the
last point of departure airports. We provided guidance to the airlines
who will determine how to implement and inform their passengers.

Q23: How will this affect passengers with connections?

A23: TSA recommends passengers transferring at one of the 10 affected
airports place any large personal electronic devices in their checked
bags upon check-in at their originating airport.

Q24: Can you provide any examples of recent terrorist plotting
against the aviation sector? Please highlight the trend you’re concerned
about.

A24: Although the U.S. has instituted robust aviation security
measures since 9/11, our information indicates that terrorist groups’
efforts to execute an attack against the aviation sector are
intensifying given that aviation attacks provide an opportunity to cause
mass casualties and inflict significant economic damage, as well as
generate overwhelming media coverage.
We note that disseminated propaganda from various terrorist groups is
encouraging attacks on aviation, to include tactics to circumvent
aviation security. Terrorist propaganda has highlighted the attacks
against aircraft in Egypt with a soda can packed with explosives in
October 2015, and in Somalia using an explosives-laden laptop in
February 2016.
Terrorists have historically tried to hide explosives in shoes in
2001, use liquid explosives in 2006, and conceal explosives in printers
in 2010 and suicide devices in underwear in 2009 and 2012. Within the
last year, we have also seen attacks conducted at airports to include in
Brussels and Istanbul.

Q25: How were these countries informed?

A25: USG officials coordinated with their foreign counterparts to
inform them of the changing threat. TSA has a formal process for
notifying airlines through the EA/SD process. This process was used to
notify affected airlines of the needed changes.

Q26: How will this be implemented?

A26: The Airlines will have 96 hours to implement. The manner of an
EA/SD is to tell an airline the end result required (no electronic
devices larger than a cell phone allowed in the cabin) and allow them
the flexibility to implement within their business model.

Q27: Will U.S. direct hires/diplomats posted in these countries be told to take other routes/airlines?

A27: No. U.S. government employees in the affected countries have the
option, but are not required, to modify their travel routes. The new
routes must comply with all U.S. government travel regulations.

Q28: Will this apply to flights departure to affected countries?

A28: No. At this time, evaluated intelligence says that the threat exists at the 10 last point of departure airports.

Q29: Does this start tomorrow?

A29: Airlines were notified on March 21st at 3:00 a.m. EDT. They have 96 hours within which to comply.

Q30: How long will these enhanced security measures be in effect?

A30: These measures will be in effect indefinitely. However, DHS and
TSA continue to evaluate our aviation security processes and policies
based on the most recent intelligence.

Q31: What will happen to my checked bag with my electronic devices once I land in the United States?

A31: TSA will increase explosives detection screening of passenger
luggage on select international inbound flights upon domestic arrival.
The screening will occur prior to releasing the luggage back to
passengers. It is possible that this process may result in delays for
connecting luggage.

Q32: Once I arrive in the U.S. and retrieve my bag, what if I miss my connecting flight to my final U.S. destination?

A32: Contact your connecting airline on how best to rebook to your
final U.S. destination. Additionally, consider contacting your airline
prior to your flight to inquire about your connection time.

Fact Sheet: Aviation Security Enhancements for Select Last
Point of Departure Airports with Commercial Flights to the United States

Release Date:

March 21, 2017

Office of Public Affairs
Contact: 202-282-8010

Overview: Change to international travel carry-on items

Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to
target commercial aviation and are aggressively pursuing innovative
methods to undertake their attacks, to include smuggling explosive
devices in various consumer items. Based on this information, Secretary
of Homeland Security John Kelly and Transportation Security
Administration Acting Administrator Huban Gowadia have determined it is
necessary to enhance security procedures for passengers at certain last
point of departure airports to the United States.
These enhancements apply to 10 specific airports. The affected
overseas airports are: Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), Cairo
International Airport (CAI), Ataturk International Airport (IST), King
Abdul-Aziz International Airport (JED), King Khalid International
Airport (RUH), Kuwait International Airport (KWI), Mohammed V Airport
(CMN), Hamad International Airport (DOH), Dubai International Airport
(DXB), and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).
The aviation security enhancements will include requiring that all
personal electronic devices larger than a cell phone or smart phone be
placed in checked baggage at 10 airports where flights are departing for
the United States.

Impacted International Flights Bound for the United States

These enhanced security measures will only affect flights from 10 of
the more than 250 airports that serve as last points of departure to the
United States. A small percentage of flights to the United States will
be affected, and the exact number of flights will vary on a day to day
basis. Airlines will know in advance which flights are affected by these
measures

Large Electronic Devices

Electronic devices larger than a cell phone/smart phone will not be
allowed to be carried onboard the aircraft in carry-on luggage or other
accessible property. Electronic devices that exceed this size limit must
be secured in checked luggage. Necessary medical devices will be
allowed to remain in a passenger’s possession after they are screened.
The approximate size of a commonly available smartphone is considered
to be a guideline for passengers. Examples of large electronic devices
that will not be allowed in the cabin on affected flights include, but
are not limited to:

Laptops

Tablets

E-Readers

Cameras

Portable DVD players

Electronic game units larger than a smartphone

Travel printers/scanners

There is no impact on domestic flights in the United
States or flights departing the United States. Electronic devices will
continue to be allowed on all flights originating in the United States.

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